Programme
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- Programme
| Time | Topic | Speakers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00 – 08:45 | Registration & Networking Breakfast | |||
| 08:45 - 09:15 | Opening and Welcome Address | Tanya Dos Santos - Ford - Programme Director | ||
| 09:15 - 09:45 | Beyond Transition: Reimagining Energy Justice for the Global South Too often the Just Energy Transition is spoken about in big numbers - gigawatts, billions, tonnes - but behind the glossy metrics are people, communities, and futures still waiting to be shaped. This keynote will set the scene by inviting us to look past the headlines and imagine, with a little courage and creativity, what a post-transition South Africa could really look like: one that is not just greener, but fairer, more inclusive, and alive with possibility. | Kalnisha Singh - Development Economist and Founder, KD Strategies | ||
| 09:45 - 10:15 | Keynote Address: The Just Energy Transition – A Pathway to a Sustainable Future | Subesh Pillay - Acting Director General, Ministry of Electricity | ||
| 10:15 - 10:35 | Financing a Just Energy Transition – Unlocking Investment & Innovation Standard Chartered highlights the potential of country-level blended finance to help close the $4.2 trillion annual funding gap needed to achieve the SDGs. By combining public and private capital, this approach supports Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) by de-risking investments and mobilizing sustainable financing for developing economies. | John Murton - Senior Sustainability Advisor, Standard Chartered Bank | ||
| 10:35 - 10:55 | South Africa’s Energy Mix: The Future Role of Nuclear and Its Impact on Communities NECSA explores South Africa’s evolving energy mix and the role of nuclear energy in ensuring a stable, low-carbon future. This talk will examine the long-term implications of nuclear energy on energy security, economic growth, and job creation, as well as its social impact on local communities and skills development in the sector. | Sengiphile Simelane - GE : Power and Industry, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation | ||
| 10:55 - 11:10 | Enabling the Just Transition: Painting a Socially Inclusive Future The Just Energy Transition is often spoken about in terms of megawatts, infrastructure, and climate targets. But at its core, it is about people. A transition that does not address jobs, reskilling, and the wellbeing of communities is not just — it’s incomplete. We need to place social impact at the centre: ensuring that people are not left behind, that vulnerable groups are included, and that new opportunities are created where old ones disappear. The energy transition will only succeed if it is also a social transition. Energy is the spark- but people must be the power behind the transition. | Leanne Emery-Hunter - Chief Executive Officer, Tshikululu Social Investments | ||
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Networking Tea Break | |||
| Breakaway Session 1: Community Engagement & Energy Access | Breakaway Session 2: Decarbonizing Industry & Transportation | |||
| 11:30 - 12:00 | The JET Funding Platform This discussion will expand on the role of the JET Funding Platform as a matchmaking service that connects grant funders with potential beneficiaries of Just Energy Transition (JET) projects. An essential component for the successful transition away from coal dependency | Panel Discussion 1. Richard Pfaff - Head of Social Impact, Tshikululu Social Investments 2. Carmen Moollmann - Analyst, JET Funding Platform, Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit (JET PMU) in the Presidency 3. Motshegwa More - Social Investment Specialist, Tshikululu Social Investments | Driving South Africa’s industries towards a low-carbon future This keynote will set the stage for South Africa’s path to decarbonizing industry and transportation, highlighting the role of green manufacturing, electrification of transport, hydrogen economy, and policy interventions. The discussion will focus on technological innovations, infrastructure needs, and economic opportunities in transitioning heavy industries and transport systems to a low-carbon model. | Thokozile Zambane - Chief Executive Officer, Kani Development Solutions |
| 12:00 - 12:30 | From policy to action – making community-centred energy access a reality This session will take a deeper dive into practical solutions for ensuring that the Just Energy Transition is truly inclusive and beneficial to communities. Panellists will discuss best practices in community participation, skills development, ownership models in renewable projects, and policies that promote local economic growth while expanding energy access. | Panel discussion 1. Thabo Sibeko - Senior Programme's Officer, Earthlife Africa 2. Matthew Le Cordeur - Infrastructure and Just Energy Transition Research Manager, Krutham 3. Mbulaheni Mbodi - Commissioner, Presidential Climate Commission 4. Motlatsi Gabaocwe - Senior Economic Researcher, Productivity SA | The Financing, Legal, and Ethical considerations in decarbonizing industries in South Africa This discussion will bring together finance leaders, legal experts, and sustainability advocates to examine the real-world challenges and solutions in funding and governing South Africa’s decarbonization journey. | Panel discussion 1. Pamela Mondliwa - Head of Research & Information and Acting Head of Industry Planning, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) 2. Leanne Govindsamy - Head: Just Transition, Southern Transitions 3. John Murton - Senior Sustainability Advisor, Standard Chartered Bank 4. Neil Cole - Financing Manager, JET PMU in the Presidency |
| 12:30 - 13:15 | Fireside Chat Policy & Regulatory Frameworks for social impact to the Just Transition | Kalnisha Singh - Development Economist and Founder, KD Strategies | Fireside Chat The importance of economic diversification in effecting a Just Transition | Dr Vikesh Rajpaul - General Manager Just Energy Transition, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd |
| 13:15 – 14:15 | Lunch & Networking | |||
| 14:15 – 15:15 | Power Talk Renewable Energy Deployment & Access – Scaling Solar, Wind & Hydro energy | Panel discussion 1. Thomas Garner - Founding Chairman, South African Independent Power Producers Association 2. Duane Newman - Africa Climate Change & Sustainability Services Leader, Ernst & Young 3. Khutso Sekgota - General Manager: Business Development in Renewables Division, Eskom |
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| 15:15 – 16:15 | Monitoring and evaluating the economic and social impact of the Just Energy Transition Measuring the true social impact of the Just Energy Transition (JET) is essential to ensuring that communities benefit from the shift to clean energy. This session will explore key metrics, data-driven approaches, and accountability frameworks to assess progress in job creation, economic inclusion, skills development, and community well-being. Experts will discuss how governments, investors, and civil society can collaborate to track, report, and refine the transition to ensure equity and long-term sustainability. | Panel discussion 1. Prof. Roula Inglesi-Lotz - Professor of Economics, University of Pretoria 2. Dr Silas Mulaudzi - Specialist: Sustainable Energy, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) 3. Christel Jacob - Lead Monitoriing and Evaluation, JET PMU in the Presidency |
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| 16:15 – 16:45 | Closing Remarks & Call to Action | Rivoningo Mnisi, Group Executive: Renewables, Eskom | ||
| 16:45 – 18:00 | Networking Cocktail Reception | |||
| * Disclaimer: Certain speakers on this programme may change with or without prior confirmation. | ||||